Irish weather forecasters said summer could come early today – with temperatures expected to reach 19C.
And the mercury could hit highs of 20C tomorrow as Met Eireann forecast a week of "dry and settled" weather.
Met Eireann added we will enjoy a pleasant and sunny weekend, with the mercury hovering between 15C and 16C across most of the country.
The national forecaster said it could heat up later today with highs of 19C expected for parts of the Midlands and Connacht.
Thousands of people are expected to flock the coast and parks to lap up the rays.
A forecaster said: “Today will be a largely dry day with sunny spells, though it will be rather cloudy at first this morning with perhaps a little rain in the northwest.
"Highest temperatures of 14C to 19C, coolest on east and south coasts and warmest in the west. South to southeasterly breezes will be light to moderate."
They added: “Much milder than recently with highest temperatures ranging from 13C or 14C degrees on east and south coasts to 19C in parts of the midlands and Connacht.”
Dry and settled conditions are expected to last into next week with temperatures in the mid-teens for most of the coming days and highs of 20C expected on Monday.
Irish weather forecast: Balmy Ireland to be warmer than Sicily next week as summer finally arrives
Met Eireann said: “Good sunshine is expected in many places on Monday in light to moderate south-east winds, fresh at times near parts of the south-west coasts and afternoon temperatures ranging from high teens in more western areas to mid-teens in the south and east, cooler on exposed coasts.
“Dry conditions continuing but there may be more in the way of cloud at times in some western and northern areas but there will be sunny periods as well.
“Light to moderate south-east winds and afternoon temperatures in the mid-teens in southern and eastern areas but in the high teens in more western and northern areas.”
